France Self Guided Bike Tour – Loire Valley
This extended bike tour travels around all the famous and breath-taking Loire Valley Castles.
You will start in Villandry and its beautiful gardens, then continue on exploring the countryside between the Chambord Castle and Blois. You will have the opportunity to visit the picturesque city of Amboise, and Chenonceau, Usse and Chambord Castles among others. Not to mention tasting some Vouvray wine, also among others. The 247 km bike tour includes several options to choose from according to your wish and cycling level.
2025 Price: €2080 Euros pp double occupancy
Price Includes:
- 7 nights of accommodation in charming hotels with private shower and/or bath
- Daily breakfast at each hotel, 4 dinners included
- Hybrid bike rental included (e bikes and road bikes – €165 euro supplement)
- Orientation in person with our local guide
- Detailed ROAD BOOK, including details maps, touristic information, step by step itinerary and cue sheets
- Guidance Application for phone (phone not provided)
- All luggage transfers
- Comprehensive trip literature
- Technical and emergency support available at all times
Price Does Not Include:
International flights, Drinks. Some meals are not included in each destination, which gives you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own. You will find all information needed with our team support in your roadbook.
Tour Difficulty
This tour is considered easy to moderate. The 247 km bike tour includes several options to choose from according to your wish and cycling level. Distances are between 30 – 60 km/day.
Tour Highlights
- Visits to Chateaux, mansions & abbeys
- Excellent gastronomy and wine
Itinerary
While we strive to create the most accurate itinerary possible, the nature of international travel demands that participants remain flexible to any changes. We will do our best to substitute activities and services of equal quality for those listed.
Day 1- Arrive In Tours
Arrival to the SAINT PIERRE DES CORPS TGV station, located only 1h from Paris by train. Transfer on your own by taxi to Joue-les-Tours and settle at your charming hotel.
If you arrive early enough, you can spend your free time exploring the old city of Tours.
Meals : Breakfast on your own, Lunch on your own, Dinner included.
Day 2 – Tours to Azay-Le-Rideau
Option 1: 21 Miles – 34 Km Option 2 : 29 Miles – 46 Km
Elevation gain 1: 200 Meters Elevation gain 2: 250 Meters
Going first to Savonnieres and then to the famous gardens of Villandry, which were designed to be in complete harmony with the Renaissance architecture of the chateau. You will ride alongside the Cher and Loire Rivers and along the Loire a Velo route. Then you will continue to Azay le Rideau, your final destination for today, famous for its Chateau on the Indre River, originally built in the Middle Ages to protect the passage from the road going from Tours to Chinon. The long option gives you the opportunity to visit Sache, chateau of the famous writer Balzac.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner included.
Day 3 – Azay-Le-Rideau To Luynes
Option 1: 21 Miles – 34 Km Option 2: 29 Miles – 46 Km
Elevation gain 1: 150 Meters Elevation gain 2: 250 Meters
Your bike ride today leaves Azay towards even more castles. Your first stop is Sleeping Beauty Castle in Usse. Next, you continue on to Langeais on a very quiet bike road along the Loire River. You will spend the night near Villandry, in Luynes across the river.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner included.
Day 4 – Luynes to Amboise via Vouvray
Distance: 30 Miles – 48 Km Elevation gain: 278 Meters
Enjoy a flat ride around Tours before embarking into the wine country of the famous appellation Vouvray. More about Vouvray wines: Vouvray is the largest white wine appellation of the Anjou-Saumur-Touraine region. This region produces a range of splendid wines, from the dry and austere to the richest of dessert wines, as well as excellent sparkling wines. Ride on to charming Amboise, a town with animation and an enchanting ambiance.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner included.
Day 5 – Loop Ride from Amboise To Explore Chenonceau Castle
Option 1: 22 Miles – 36 Km Option 2: 33 Miles – 53 Km
Elevation gain 1: 279 Meters Elevation gain 2: 415 Meters
A short and moderately flat ride will take you through the forests and alleys of the Amboise countryside passing by the Parc Mini Chateaux (great for kids) and then dropping down to the fabulous Chenonceau castle that must be discovered with plenty of time to visit. Chenonceau, erected by Henry II in the XVIth century over the Cher river and improved by Catherine de Medicis. The castle hides several pieces of historical interest, furniture and tapestries. For the long option you will continue on to Montrichard, La Genaudière and St. Regle before returning to Amboise.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.
Day 6 – Amboise To Blois
Distance: 27 Miles – 43 Km Elevation gain: 300 Meters
Depart from Amboise and ride through many small villages, stopping at privately owned chateaux on the way. For lunch, why not stop at the famous International Gardens Festival and Chateau of Chaumont for a picnic followed by a visit ! Then you will go on a short and quiet ride to Blois.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.
Day 7 – Blois Loop Ride To Chambord Castle
Option 1: 29 Miles – 47 Km Option 2: 32 Miles – 52 Km Option 3: 39 Miles – 63 Km
Elevation gain 1: 275 Meters Elevation gain 2: 305 Meters Elevation gain 3: 380 Meters
Today, you have 3 ride options :
• The first option takes you to the Chateaux of Cheverny, Troussay and Beauregard. Those are easy rides on flat terrain, just enjoy the scenery imagining how and why the kings chose this area as their vacation place!
• The second option takes you to the famous Chambord, where you can enjoy the magnificent architecture and unique features. Then you can enjoy a chocolate tasting in a chocolate factory* (Chocolate Vauche) in a nearby charming village before heading back to Blois with a stop at the Chateau de Villesavin.
• On the third option, you will see best of both. You will be able to see the castles and visit Chambord. The road is not very difficult but you will have to cover some miles.
*Visit of the chocolate place on your own (Tours is in English only in July and August).
SCHEDULE (Booking Recommended) : Tél : 02 54 46 07 96
From September to June, From Tuesday to Saturday: 10h30 / 15h30 / 16h30 – Sundays and Public Holidays * : 15h30 / 16h30
July and August : From Monday to Saturday: 10h30 / 15h30 / 16h30
English Tours : 11h30 / 14h30
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.
Day 8 – Departure Day
Departure from Blois after breakfast, at your leisure. Trains available to Paris and other destinatioins.
Meals : Breakfast included, Lunch on your own, Dinner on your own.